Legalizing Special Purpose Vehicles
Small Business Administration for Disaster & Recovery representative Carly Cook spoke to the court. Photo | PJ Martin
By PJ Martin
Editor
The Herald-News
The Metcalfe County fiscal court held its regular meeting on Thursday, June 26th, with all magistrates in attendance.
The agenda was adopted and the minutes from the June 12th meeting were approved after motions by Magistrates Ronnie Miller and Harvey Hawkins.
The John Hurt Road has been looked at, and the Welsh property section can be gated and removed from the county road as was requested. Magistrate Daniel Bragg has spoken to her, “So, she’s good with giving us an easement to turn around past her gate.” County Attorney Sharon Howard is to prepare the necessary document. The closure at the gate was approved after motions by Magistrates Bragg and Miller.
After receiving correspondence from Executive Director Leah Thompson of the Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center (BRACAC), it was discovered that no contribution was given last year. However, the magistrates discussed and settled upon the amount of $1,500 to be donated to BRACAC for the FY 25-26. The donation was agreed upon after motions by Magistrates Bragg and Kevin Crain.
After the state legislators passed SB63, legalizing special purpose vehicles (SPV) on the road with requirements that will take effect on June 27, 2025, county and city officials in Kentucky are creating ordinances more specific to their locations. Metcalfe County Clerk Shannon Fields was on hand to answer any questions about the licensing of these vehicles.
The legislation requires that SPVs be roadworthy with an inspection by the Sheriff’s Department, be insured and licensed, have headlights, taillights, an illuminated license plate, rear reflectors, turn signals, horn, muffler, rearview mirrors, either a windshield or operator goggles, and other specifications per KRS 186.010.
Bragg asked, “This will not have any negative effect on farmers that are already using farm exempts to travel between locations. There will be no negative effects on them. They can operate as normal?”
Fields replied, “They’re going to be able to still just title it and have it as a farm vehicle, and they don’t have to pay any tax or anything on that, just a titling fee, of course, if they’re on highways…”
It was agreed that Attorney Howard would create an Ordinance specifying the requirements for Metcalfe County and bring it to the next court session.
Next, Small Business Administration for Disaster & Recovery representative Carly Cook spoke to the court, “We have programs right now for individuals that were harmed due to the tornadoes and flooding in the area. So, you guys are eligible for economic ending disaster loans, which are people, usually people that were hit indirectly from the incident. So maybe just because of the floodings or storms, you guys are not able to pay for things, maybe in your home, or anything of that nature. These roles will help you with that.
And also, we have Economic Disaster Supplement Grant Program, also for survivors that could be really, really beneficial due to disasters. Right now, the deadline for the economic voting disaster loans is in January, probably January 26, 2026, so we do have a long period of time where people can apply, but it will be great to go on and get it in. And if you guys want loans, they say to usually apply with FEMA and with the SBA. Also, just to guarantee, you know, you if you don’t get a chance with us, it’s a definite chance maybe with them. So that’s why they say to do that also.
And I also just want to give you guys the website and the customer service number for anyone that may want to use it. And I do have business cards and flyers also that you guys can see to just help along with what you need. So, the customer service number will be 800-659-2955, and then our website is sba.gov/disasters.”
“Thank you very much for coming and sharing that information,” noted Judge/Executive Larry Wilson
Emergency Management Director Adam Bennett addressed the court with a request from Tri-County Electric to put a repeater on the Summer Shade Radio Tower. Bennett noted, “So, it’s going to be a stand-alone repeater… I don’t see any reason not to do it, but it has to go through court and be approved, is my understanding.”
It was approved for Attorney Howard to write up the agreement after motions by Bragg and Hawkins.
Former Judge/Executive Harold Stilts provided Judge Wilson with an invoice for the HVAC unit at Branstetter Park in the amount of $8,400. After a short discussion, a motion was made by Bragg, seconded by Miller, and approved to pay the invoice amount.
The court went into a closed session per KRS 61.810(1)(b) concerning property acquisition or sale that lasted approximately 15 minutes with no action taken.
There were a number of budget transfers, and Treasurer Page Edwards advised that the transfers were necessary to clean up the funds records, and she had been advised to do them by the auditors. The transfers were approved.
The interfund transfers and claims were also approved. Edwards noted that the claims included the transfer of a percentage of the ABC regulatory funds to the Sheriff’s Office.
Other Items
Magistrate Miller informed the court that he had spoken with Mrs. Spradlin, and they wanted to deed the Chester Spradlin Road to the county. Road Supervisor Chris Compton added that it needed a right-of-way.
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 10th, at 9 a.m. in the Fiscal Court room.
